University Awards

List of Faculty Awards

Scholar/Teacher of the YearCRITERIA:Faculty member must have a full-time appointment during AY2014-2015. This award, sponsored by the Division of Higher Education of the Board of Higher Education and Ministry of The United Methodist Church, is based on demonstration of exceptional teaching, recognized concern for students and colleagues and sensitivity to the mission of the church-related university, a record of significant contributions to the scholarly life of the university, and a commitment to high standards of professional and personal life. This award includes $5,000 as part of the recognition ($2,000 from the Methodist Church and $3,000 from American University).*

Outstanding Teaching in a Full-Time AppointmentCRITERIA:Faculty member must have a full-time appointment duringAY2014-2015. Requires excellence in teaching as documented by student evaluations, comments, and feedback, success of former students, descriptions of new courses, development of a new program, integration of innovative approaches to learning, or notable work beyond the classroom setting such as recognition for advising, sponsorship of student honor societies, collaboration with students in research projects, and active participation with students in professional activities. The faculty member’s record of achievement should reflect sustained contributions to the university over many years. This award includes $2,000 as part of the recognition.*

Outstanding Scholarship, Research, Creative Activity, and Other Professional ContributionsCRITERIA:Faculty member must have a full-time appointment during AY2014-2015. Requires distinction as a scholar as documented through publications, invited lectures and papers, performances or shows, leadership in professional societies, work on editorial boards, membership in prestigious professional organizations, references, quotes or appearances in the media, or other kinds of selective positions of leadership. The faculty member’s record of achievement should reflect sustained contributions to the university over many years. This award includes $2,000 as part of the recognition.*

Outstanding Service to the University CommunityCRITERIA:Faculty member must have a full-time appointment during AY2014-2015. Requires demonstration of exceptional contributions to the university community as shown through leadership in faculty governance or administrative work, mentoring of student activities, sponsorship of university events, or initiation of new services for students, faculty and other members of the university community. The faculty member’s record of achievement should reflect sustained contributions to the university over many years. This award includes $2,000 as part of the recognition.*

Outstanding Teaching in a Term AppointmentCRITERIA: Faculty member must have a single- or multi-year appointment during AY 2014-2015. Requires excellence in teaching as documented by student evaluations, comments, and feedback, success of former students, descriptions of new courses, development of a new program, integration of innovative approaches to learning, or notable work beyond the classroom setting such as recognition for advising, sponsorship of student honor societies, collaboration with students in research projects, and active participation with students in professional activities. The faculty member's record of achievement should reflect sustained contributions to the university for at least three academic years. This award includes $2,000 as part of the recognition.

Outstanding Teaching in an Adjunct AppointmentCRITERIA:Faculty member must have a part-time appointment during AY2014-2015. Requires excellence in teaching as documented by student evaluations, comments, and feedback, originality of course, and the provision of superior learning opportunities. Ideally, the candidate should have significant full-time professional status outside the university, and a record of achievement that reflects sustained contributions to the university. This award includes $2,000 as part of the recognition.*

Morton Bender PrizeCRITERIA:Faculty member must have a full-time appointment during AY2014-2015. Through the generosity of Morton Bender, the university will award $2,000 to a faculty member who has been tenured within the previous four years. The purpose of the prize is to recognize an important research, scholarly, creative endeavor, or professional achievement since attainment of the rank of associate professor and to facilitate the faculty member’s progress towards the rank of full professor.*

* The monetary awards are considered taxable compensation to the recipient in accordance with the IRS code.